The loss of a mate can certainly impact birds emotionally and physically, but can it really lead to death? Here’s a look at the evidence behind whether birds can die of heartbreak.
What happens when a bird loses its mate?
When birds form strong pair bonds and mate for life, the death of their partner can elicit profound grief-like responses. Birds may stop eating, isolate themselves, stop grooming, and cease singing and socializing. This depressive-like state may last days or even weeks. The bereaved bird may search extensively for its lost mate. Physically, the loss of a mate may lead to changes in hormone levels and dysregulation of circadian rhythms.
Birds most likely to form lifelong pair bonds include geese, ducks, swans, eagles, cranes, albatrosses and condors. However, even birds that don’t mate for life, such as many songbirds, may grieve the loss of a nesting partner.
Can grief and depression kill birds?
There are anecdotal reports of birds dying soon after the loss of a mate. For example, an African grey parrot named Sam reportedly died within hours of his mate of 30 years passing away. However, there is debate over whether bereavement directly causes premature death in birds.
In mammals, extreme psychological distress can disrupt the immune system and cause subsequent illness. Similarly, in birds, the stress of losing a mate may potentially suppress the immune system, raising susceptibility to infections and disease. However, the direct physiological effects of grief on bird health require further study.
Factors that could lead to premature death
There are many potential reasons a bereaved bird may die sooner than expected, including:
- Failure to eat or drink adequately
- Increased vulnerability to predators without a vigilant mate
- Greater difficulty incubating eggs or raising young alone
- Compromised immunity and susceptibility to illness
- Physiological changes due to grief that disrupt organ function
For birds in lifelong pair bonds, the absence of a mate inherently introduces new survival challenges. However, scientists caution definitively attributing premature death to purely psychological causes.
Looking at mortality rates
Statistical analysis provides some insights into potential links between bereavement and mortality in mated bird pairs.
- One study of albatross couples found that widowed birds faced a 66% higher annual mortality rate.
- However, analysis of mute swan data found no significant differences in mortality rates between widowed swans and swans who lost a mate but remated.
- Among magpie geese studied, widowed females had a higher mortality rate than paired females, but no significant difference was seen in males.
The conflicting mortality data highlights the complexity of isolating grief as a cause of premature death across different species. Other factors like predation rates, nesting stress and finding a new mate likely also contribute to differing outcomes.
Can birds die of a “broken heart”?
The idea that profound grief can directly cause death in birds remains unproven. Bereaved birds undoubtedly experience immense emotional distress at the loss of a lifelong mate. However, there is currently no scientific consensus that death can occur solely due to the psychological condition of a “broken heart.”
Nevertheless, the loss of a mate does appear to impact widowed birds’ health, behavior and mortality risk. Species with strong pair bonds are deeply affected by bereavement. Further research into the physiological changes grief triggers may shed more light on how mate loss contributes to premature death.
Famous cases of bereaved birds
There are many anecdotal reports of birds rapidly dying after the loss of a mate. Though the role of emotional distress is unconfirmed, these stories illustrate the devotion and trauma experienced by grieving birds.
Wisdom the Albatross
Wisdom is a Laysan albatross estimated to be over 70 years old. She lost her mate of over 60 years, leaving her to incubate the egg alone. Against the odds, Wisdom successfully hatched and raised the chick alone. But her mate’s death left Wisdom grieving and alone after a lifetime together.
Sam the African Grey Parrot
Pet parrot Sam had spent 30 years with his mate Delia, when she developed an infection and died. Sam was described as inconsolable after her death. That night, despite no previous health issues, Sam passed away, leading some to believe he died of sadness.
Fuji and Fujioka the Penguins
Female penguin Fuji lost her mate at a Japanese zoo and sank into deep grief. She isolated herself and neglected grooming. Her health deteriorated and Fuji died two months later. A year afterwards, Fuji’s bereaved daughter Fujioka also died at the same zoo, with keepers speculating grief contributed.
Can other animals die of grief?
There are anecdotal reports of animals dying shortly after the loss of a close companion across various species:
- Dogs refusing food and losing the will to live after the death of an owner or fellow canine companion.
- Dolphin pairs ceasing to breathe and drowning after the loss of a mate.
- Horses grieving themselves to exhaustion and death upon separation from a lifelong stablemate.
As with birds, concrete evidence linking psychological bereavement with premature death in mammals and other species remains elusive. But the impact of grief on animal health appears very real, even if a “broken heart” cannot be declared the sole or primary cause of death.
Supporting grieving birds
For pet owners, steps can be taken to ease grief and transition when a bird loses its mate:
- Pay close attention to the bereaved bird’s eating and drinking to ensure adequate nutrition.
- Spend additional time interacting with and comforting the grieving bird.
- Consider introducing a new mate, particularly if the bird is struggling significantly.
- Consult an avian veterinarian if signs of illness develop.
- Allow the bird to express its grief through behaviors like calling for its mate.
With care and support, most bereaved pet birds can recover and eventually form a new bond when a mate passes away.
Conclusion
The loss of a lifelong mate inflicts intense grief and distress on pair bonded birds that can last weeks or months. However, there is currently little scientific evidence definitively proving birds die due to the psychological condition of a “broken heart” following bereavement. The premature death of a grieving bird is usually influenced by a combination of factors including immunosuppression, malnutrition, predation risk and complications of breeding or nesting alone. Still, the remarkable emotional depth experienced by mourning birds cannot be underestimated, even if a direct link to mortality remains elusive.